Dodgers’ season opener against San Francisco Giants moved up a day

For the Dodgers, opening day is coming earlier — and will be more like opening night.

Their season opener against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium has been moved up a day, from April 1 to March 31, to accommodate ESPN, which wanted the defending World Series champions to play in the last of the three games it will televise nationally that day.

The game is scheduled to start at 5 p.m., later than the traditional opening-day contest.

The start time of the April 1 game, which originally was 1 p.m., is now 7 p.m.

The Dodgers and Giants will be off April 4, which previously was the day they were scheduled to play the finale of their season-opening four-game series.

The Dodgers were at least spared the indignity of being forced to witness their long-standing rivals unfurl their World Series banner in San Francisco.

ESPN and the league office initially proposed that the Dodgers and Giants open the season March 31 at AT&T Park, then start their four-game series in Los Angeles the next day. The Dodgers and the union balked at the idea.

In addition to announcing the scheduling change, the Dodgers unveiled their promotional schedule, which will include 12 fireworks nights and six bobblehead nights. So far, bobblehead nights are scheduled for Clayton Kershaw (May 17), Don Mattingly (June 1) and Andre Ethier (July 7).

Food and drinks, including alcohol, will be sold at half price for six mid-week home games: April 21, May 4, June 15, June 22, Aug. 10 and Aug. 31.

dylan.hernandez@latimes.com